Product Description
SEE MORE MOUSTERIAN NEANDERTHAL TOOLS
For comparison prices, please see the "Old World Typology and Price Guide" section of the "OVERSTREET IDENTIFICATION AND PRICE GUIDE TO INDIAN ARROWHEADS" editions 7th, 8th and 9th.
The form and execution of this extraordinary BIFACIAL handaxe was fashioned by a Neanderthal in classic MOUSTERIAN TRADITION. Unlike their much larger predecessors of the Sahara during the Acheulian, Mousterian handaxes are smaller in comparison. Mousterian hand axes are considered the rarest and most prized tools of the Neanderthals!
This is a MUCH larger than typical example displaying every possible trait to put it at the TOP of its class as a premium INVESTMENT-CLASS prehistoric artifact. It shows the FINEST skilled workmanship in its profile and flaking! Couple the exquisite shaping and flaking with its RARE BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW AND WHITE banded patterns and you have a TRUE PRIZE prehistoric Neanderthal artifact that CANNOT be improved on!!! The banding was purposely oriented so that the hand and thumb are at the center of the radiating color bands that encircle the thumb on one side. Even the top of the grip has CAREFULLY EXECUTED AND ARTISTIC flaking that goes way beyond what would have been normally needed to make a functional hand axe. What does this all mean with such workmanship and colors? THIS WAS A PRESTIGE AXE to the Neanderthals of the day. No other explanation can account for the extraordinary amount of careful flaking and shaping that went into this piece. No doubt, it was a result of the amazing and rare colors and patterns that existed in the stone that this hand axe was fashioned out of.
The entire perimeter shows expert Neanderthal secondary retouch to execute a stunningly well-made, profile. Delicate pointed tip is still intact and unbroken which is EXTREMELY RARE for specimens like this. The entire surface features a rich patina and mineralized iron deposits indicating extreme age in burial. Authenticity evidenced by the presence of minerals deep in these microscopic crevices. This is one of the nicest and most attractive Neanderthal hand axes we have offered, EVER!
This rare hand axe was fashioned out of flint by Neanderthals over 40,000 years ago and discovered in a famous and long-closed and protected Middle Paleolithic site in France. Fine quality Mousterian Neanderthal tools are rare and often move from one private collection to the next as most sites are now depleted, destroyed, built over and all are protected by law forbidding modern day digging. It is probable by simple logistics, that over time, high grade archeological tools will most definitely appreciate as collector demand continues to outpace the finite supply circulating amongst collectors that buy pieces and never resell. Investment aside, no Paleolithic collection should be without representative tools of one of the most famous primitive humans in history!
TRUE INVESTMENT-GRADE PIECE WITH ZERO MODERN DAMAGE AND THIN FORM WITH THE MOST SKILLED FLAKING AND WORKMANSHIP! IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE ON WITH COLOR PATTERNS LIKE THIS!